Chapter History
How Sigma Lambda came to be.
The Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was chartered by the Seventeenth Annual Convention of the Fraternity, held in New York City from December 27–31, 1924. On December 5, 1925, the chapter was officially installed in New Orleans, Louisiana, by the Fraternity's Southern Vice President, Brother Charles W. Green — becoming the first Black Greek-letter organization established in the Greater New Orleans area.
The charter members of Sigma Lambda Chaper represented a distinguished group of men, including:
Bro. Lucien Alexis
A graduate of Harvard University, Alexis was principal of McDonogh 35 Senior High School — the first high school in the Greater New Orleans area for African American students. He also owned a business school.
Bro. Osceola Blanchet
A graduate of Talladega College with a master's degree from Xavier University, Blanchet taught at McDonogh 35 Senior High School for more than 40 years. An outstanding musician, he produced many operettas at the school and served as Minister of Music at Central United Church of Christ.
Bro. Edward M. Coleman
A graduate of Talladega College with a master's degree from Iowa State University, Coleman served as Professor of History at Straight College, which merged with New Orleans University to form Dillard University in the 1930s.
Bro. C.C. Haydell
A graduate of Howard University's Medical School, Haydell maintained an extensive medical practice and served as President of the Standard Life Insurance Company.
Bro. William H. Mitchell
A graduate of Springfield College and Executive Director of the Dryades Street Y.M.C.A., Mitchell earned a master's degree from Columbia University. He also served as Honorary Consul General, and later Consul General, of the Republic of Liberia.
Bro. Rudolph Moses
A graduate of the University of Iowa with a master's degree from Columbia University, Moses served on the faculty of Dillard University and the institutions that preceded it.
Bro. Jesse O. Richards
A graduate of Atlanta University, Richards was principal of several schools in New Orleans, including J.S. Clark.
Bro. Robert E. Jones
A graduate of Bennett College with a B.A. degree and a B.D. from Gammon Theological Seminary, Jones was a Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Help preserve the chapter's history.
Brothers can submit information, stories, and photos to the chapter's historical record.